Python: Get module name

Every module in python has predefined attribute ‘__name__’. If the module is being run standalone by the user, then the module name is ‘__main__’, else it gives you full module name.

arithmetic.py

def sum(a,b):
    return a+b

print("Module name : ",__name__)

Run above program you will get following output.

Module name :  __main__

test.py

import arithmetic

print("Module name : ",arithmetic.__name__)

Run test.py, you will get following output.

Module name :  arithmetic

Module name :  arithmetic

Observe the output, module name printed twice. A module can contain executable statements. These statements are executed; only the first time the module name is encountered in an import statement. So executable statement in arithmetic.py is also executed.

Update arithmetic.py like below and rerun test.py.

def sum(a,b):
    return a+b

if(__name__=="__main__"):
    print("This program is run by itslef")
else:
    print("This module called by other module")

You will get following output.

This module called by other module

Module name :  arithmetic

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